Steam Electric Effluent Limitations Guidelines (ELG)
Current understanding
EPA Clean Water Act effluent limitations guidelines and standards (ELGs) for the Steam Electric Power Generating Point Source Category regulate wastewater discharges from coal- and other steam-fired power plants, including flue gas desulfurization wastewater, bottom ash transport water, and combustion residual leachate. A 2024 final rule tightened these limits; EPA is now proposing revisions targeting the treatment requirements for ‘unmanaged’ combustion residual leachate, with EPA estimating annual compliance-cost reductions of $446M–$1,090M relative to the 2024 baseline. Practical effects turn on the leachate-management pathways plants may use, downstream water-quality implications, and interaction with RCRA coal combustion residuals (CCR) rules governing the same waste streams on the land-disposal side.
Evidence log
- 2026-05-18 — Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Steam Electric Power Generating Point Source Category-Unmanaged Combustion Residual Leachate: cross-connection with ccr-state-permit-programs: Both regulate coal combustion residual waste streams from power plants — ELGs govern wastewater/leachate discharges under the Clean Water Act, while CCR state permit programs govern land-disposal of the same residuals under RCRA. (novelty: 2)